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WAVE

Meet Wave

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An Easier Way to Pay is Here

Riding using the Wave card is easy, convenient, and save you money. Discover how our fare payment system works.

An Easier Way to Pay is Here

Riding using the Wave card is easy, convenient, and save you money. Discover how our fare payment system works.

Goodbye Paper Passes, Hello Smart Technology

The new Wave fare payment system will use pay-as-you-go technology that lets you pay for rides based on what you use versus the fixed amount on a paper pass. You’ll be able to use Wave on OC Bus and OC Streetcar. The new system will include a contactless reloadable smart card, new robust mobile app and a new account-based system.

wave card

Wave Card

  • Reusable plastic card
  • Reloadable
  • Available at OCTA Store and participating retail locations

add funds
mobile app

Wave Mobile App

  • Real-time reloads and account management
  • Reload with cash at retailers
  • Manage other physical smart cards

App Store      Google Play Store
Account-Based System

Account-Based System

  • Cloud based to allow access from the web, smartphone, and the new mobile app
  • Balance protection if card is lost or stolen
  • Best price guarantee

add funds
Senior Holding a Wave Card

Wave Ambassadors

  • Get a free Wave card from Wave Ambassadors or at the OCTA Store
  • Find them on board buses, at bus stops, transit centers, and more
  • Available on a first-come, first-served basis
Locations
mobile app

⚠️ Reminder

Paper passes are no longer sold onboard. Cash is still accepted for single rides with exact change only.

Boarding Is Easy

With Wave, you’ll be connected to the latest in pay-as-you-go technology that allows you to load funds onto a physical Wave card, the Wave mobile app, or use a contactless card, to pay when you board. Your payment method will stop being charged when you’ve reached your daily or monthly cap. Don't worry, you can still use cash to pay for single rides onboard. Getting Started.

wave card

Wave Card

Literally wave your Wave card in front of the validator, wait for the green light, and you’ll be ready to ride.

wave mobile app

Wave Mobile App

Hold your smartphone underneath the validator using the Wave Mobile App displaying your QR code and wait for the green light!

contactless card

Contactless Card

Use a contactless card (such as a debit or credit card) that is equipped with wireless technology that allows you to “tap to pay” at the validator. Using your phone’s digital wallet, you can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Meet the New Wave Card

The future of travel on OC Transit will revolve around our new Wave fare payment card. The Wave card will offer worry-free payments when you travel on OC Bus or OC Streetcar, no matter how many rides you take. There are so many benefits to using the Wave card. Here are our top three!

No Expiration Date

Smart cards are re-loadable and durable and never expire.

Balance Protection

By registering your Wave card, you can recover your balance if the card is lost or stolen and transfer the balance to a new card.

Wave to Pay

Boarding OC Bus will be faster. Just wave your card in front of the validator.

A Powerful New Mobile App

Everything you need to ride and manage your Wave card will be in the palm of your hand. The new Wave Mobile App will allow you to manage your card, add funds, oversee multiple cards, and even add funds with cash. Here’s what you’ll be able to accomplish.

Carry a Virtual Wave Card for Free

Create a virtual card and eliminate the need to carry a physical card. All you’ll need is your smartphone!

Manage Multiple Cards

Manage up to 8 Wave cards including those of family and friends.

Reload in Real-time

Add funds to your Wave card on the run. Your reloads will be there instantly.

Add Cash to Wave

You have the option to reload your virtual Wave card with cash at participating retailers.

best fare guarantee

Pay Less…Automatically!

The new Wave fare payment system automatically tabulates your rides and stops charging you when you’ve met your daily or monthly limit. We call it Fare Capping. After you reach your cap, the rest of your rides are free for that day or calendar month. This pay-as-you-ride system ensures you always get the best fare…and only pay for what you need. The fare cap resets each day and the start of each month.

This works for regular fares along with senior and disabled fares. Our Youth Ride Free (18 and under) program and the College Pass Program won’t change.

Best fare guarantee

More About Wave

Getting Started

Our Wave fare payment system will offer options to meet all rider’s needs.

Learn More

Best Fare Guarantee

Pay as you go without needing to prepay for discounts.

About fares

Where to Buy

Learn about the online and retail locations where Wave will be available.

Where to buy

Wave Ambassadors Locations

Look out for Wave Ambassadors on buses, at bus stops, transportation centers, and community events. They’ll be handing out free Wave cards! Supplies are limited! See the locations below.

Swipe for more
Date Locations Times**
Monday, Nov. 3 Fullerton Park-and-Ride: 3000 W. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 3 Fullerton Park-and-Ride: 3000 W. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 3 Bristol and 17th - Bus Stop: 5934 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 3 Bristol and 17th - Bus Stop: 5902 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 3 MacArthur and Bristol - Bus Stop: 6089 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 3 MacArthur and Bristol - Bus Stop: 6453 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 3 Outlets at Orange: 330 The City Dr S., Orange - Bus stop 5601 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 3 Outlets at Orange: 330 The City Dr S., Orange - Bus stop 5608 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 Fullerton Transportation Center: 123 S. Pomona Avenue, Fullerton 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 Fullerton Transportation Center: 123 S. Pomona Avenue, Fullerton 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 UC Irvine - Bus Stop: 3246 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 UC Irvine - Bus Stop: 3254 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 Orangethorpe and Harbor - Bus Stop: 1882 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 Orangethorpe and Harbor - Bus Stop: 1893 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 4 GoldenWest Transportation Center: 7301 Center Ave, Huntington Beach – all stops 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, Nov. 5 Laguna Hills Transportation Center: 24282 Calle de los Caballeros, Laguna Hills 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, Nov. 5 Laguna Hills Transportation Center: 24282 Calle de los Caballeros, Laguna Hills 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, Nov. 5 Edinger and Bristol - Bus Stop: 6227 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, Nov. 5 Warner and Magnolia - Bus Stop: 3056 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, Nov. 5 Warner and Magnolia - Bus Stop: 2087 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Thursday, Nov. 6 Main and 1st - Bus Stop: 5964 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 6 Chapman and Brookhurst - Bus Stop: 2256 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 6 Chapman and Brookhurst - Bus Stop: 2226 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Thursday, Nov. 6 Chapman and Brookhurst - Bus Stop: 2202 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Friday, Nov. 7 Beach and Westminster - Bus Stop: 7334 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Friday, Nov. 7 Beach and Westminster - Bus Stop: 7514 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 7 Lincoln and Knott - Bus Stop: 0445 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 10 Newport Transportation Center: 1550 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 10 Newport Transportation Center: 1550 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 10 Garden Grove and Euclid - Bus Stop: 2322 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 10 Garden Grove and Euclid - Bus Stop: 2348 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 10 Wilson and Harbor - Bus Stop: 1377 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 10 Wilson and Harbor - Bus Stop: 1371 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tluesday, Nov. 11 Harbor and McFadden - Bus Stop: 6410 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tluesday, Nov. 11 Harbor and McFadden - Bus Stop: 6548 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tluesday, Nov. 11 Harbor and McFadden - Bus Stop: 6592 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tluesday, Nov. 11 Harbor and McFadden - Bus Stop: 6423 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tluesday, Nov. 11 Larwin Square Tustin: 630 E 1st St, Tustin. Lots of stops along 1st/Newport/Centennial 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tluesday, Nov. 11 Larwin Square Tustin: 630 E 1st St, Tustin. Lots of stops along 1st/Newport/Centennial 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 12 Brea Mall: 1065 Brea Mall, across from Macy between Olive Garden & Red Lobster 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 12 Brea Mall: 1065 Brea Mall, across from Macy between Olive Garden & Red Lobster 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 12 Katella and Euclid - Bus Stop: 0262 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 12 Katella and Euclid - Bus Stop: 0179 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 12 Katella and Euclid - Bus Stop: 2285 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 12 Katella and Euclid - Bus Stop: 0288 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 13 Village at Orange: 1500 E Village Way, Orange, bus stop 5640 & 5641 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 13 Village at Orange: 1500 E Village Way, Orange, bus stop 5639 & 5638 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Thursday, Nov. 13 La Palma and State College - Bus Stop: 0667 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Thursday, Nov. 13 La Palma and State College - Bus Stop: 0342 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Thursday, Nov. 13 Ball and Brookhurst – Bus Stop 0054 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Friday, Nov. 14 Lincoln and Harbor - Bus Stop: 0240 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Friday, Nov. 14 Lincoln and Harbor - Bus Stop: 0225 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

*No purchase necessary to win. See sweepstakes rules at OCBus.com/WaveRules

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